A literature survey (or literature review) is the systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and summarizing existing research, theories, and reports related to a particular topic. It provides the foundation for any technical report, thesis, or research paper.
1. Use of Libraries
Libraries are primary sources for gathering authentic and reliable information.
University/Institution Libraries
Access to textbooks, journals, technical reports, conference proceedings, theses, and dissertations.
Special collections (archives, maps, standards, government reports).
Digital/Online Libraries
IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, JSTOR, Wiley Online Library.
Access to e-journals, e-books, patents, and databases.
Services Offered by Libraries
Catalogues & OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) – helps locate books/reports by author, title, or subject.
Inter-Library Loan (ILL) – borrowing materials not available locally.
Digital Repositories – theses, institutional publications, government records.
2. Knowledge of Indexing
Indexing is crucial for locating relevant literature quickly.
Types of Indexing Sources
Abstracting and Indexing (A&I) Databases – e.g., Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, INSPEC.
Library Indexing Services – subject indexes, citation indexes, keyword indexes.
Keyword Indexing – helps identify major terms used in a subject field.
Why Indexing is Useful
Saves time in identifying relevant sources.
Ensures comprehensive coverage of the topic.
Helps track citations, impact factor, and research trends.
3. Use of Reference Materials
Reference materials are essential for background study and verification.
Primary Reference Sources
Research articles, technical reports, standards, patents, theses.
Provide first-hand, original data.
Secondary Reference Sources
Review articles, books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, yearbooks.
Provide summarized and interpreted information.
Tertiary Reference Sources
Bibliographies, indexes, directories, databases.
Provide guidance on where to find sources.
4. Process of Conducting a Literature Survey
Define the topic/problem clearly.
Search library catalogues, digital databases, and indexing services.
Select keywords and descriptors for better searching.
Collect reference materials (books, journals, reports).
Read abstracts and summaries to filter relevant works.
Review and analyze critically – identify gaps, trends, methodologies.
Organize references (using tools like Mendeley, Zotero, EndNote).
Write the survey logically (thematic, chronological, or methodological order).
✅ In short:
Libraries provide access to authentic materials.
Indexing enables efficient retrieval of information.
Reference materials build the foundation for analysis and synthesis in a literature survey.
